I Asked My Grandpa to Define Popular Slang Terms

Slang has come a long way since the days of “good golly” and “gee whiz.”

Millennials have invented so many words that should not be words. We have forced the dictionary to adhere to our foolishness, shoving in words like “selfie” and “photobomb.” Baby Boomers can officially add “they’re debasing the English language!” to their long list of Millennial grievances alongside; “they’re lazy!” and “they won’t move out of my basement!”

My Grandfather is one of the smartest people I know. With a Phd in Psychology and 91 years of life behind him, it’s safe to say he knows more than most people.  With that in mind, I wanted to see how well he would do at decoding “Millennial speak.” I asked him to define the slang terms on this list without giving him any context. He had never heard of a single one of them, but he was able to get a few right.

Below I will present to you the definition of these slang terms straight from the most reliable site on the web, Urbandictionary.com, along with what my grandpa thought these words meant.

1) Froyo: 

Urban Dictionary definition:”basically this is a shortened term for frozen yoghurt but sounds wicked kool”

Grandpa’s definition: “Froyo is the name of a chicken dish. Probably more like the chicken breast  than a leg.”

2) Trill: 

Urban Dictionary definition:”Being true + real = trill”

Grandpa’s definition: “A word that describes jeweled earlobes.”

3) On fleek:

Urban Dictionary definition: “Slang term used by uncultured idiots to describe perfection.”

Grandpa’s definition: “I think that would have to do with something that has extreme precision.”

4) “Salty”:

Urban Dictionary definition: “The act of being upset, angry, or bitter as result of being made fun of or embarrassed.”

Grandpa’s definition: “A bold and adventurous mode of life. Aboard a ship somebody would be salty.”

5) “Throwing shade”:

Urban Dictionary definition:”The act of talking shit to or about another.”

Grandpa’s definition: “Has to do with extreme subtlety.”

6) “Lit”:

Urban Dictionary definition: “When something is turned up or popping.”

Grandpa’s definition:”That was successful, that’s a good outcome. Cheers.”

7) “Turnt”:

Urban Dictionary definition:”Like hype for a party, or at the club!”

Grandpa’s definition: “Something playful. Lightness, playfulness. A giggle.”

8) “Cray”:

Urban Dictionary definition:”short for crazy, it means crazy in a good way, like crazy wild, not like crazy loony bin.

Grandpa’s definition: “See you later” Adios. I’ll be seeing you. An expression of departure”

9) “Squad Goals”:

Urban dictionary definition: “When you literally have no friends but see a group of friends on Instagram, you find that they’re your squad goal because you want to be with them.”

Grandpa’s definition:  “…I don’t know but it sounds pretentious.”

10) “Woke”:

Urban Dictionary definition: “Getting woke is like being in the Matrix and taking the red pill. You get a sudden understanding of what’s really going on and find out you were wrong about much of what you understood to be truth.”

Grandpa’s definition: “You mean like, ‘I woke up’?. I’m conscious.”

11) “Extra”:

Urban Dictionary definition: “Doing the absolute damn most. For no reason.”

Grandpa’s definition: “Flagrant. Faking it. Being theatrical about it.”

12) “Friend zone”:

Urban Dictionary definition: “A particularly aggravating metaphorical place, that people end up in when someone they are interested in only wants to be friends.”

13) “Side hustle”:

Urban Dictionary definition: “Sideline that brings in cash; something other than your main job. Maybe playing weekend gigs or life coaching. SELLING AMWAY IS NOT A SIDE HUSTLE — it’s just a stupid way to alienate your friends.”

Grandpa’s definition: “An almost movement. It partakes a motion but not quite.”

14) “Spilling Tea”:

Urban Dictionary definition: “What upset white people do” or “Telling the truth about something/someone to other people.”

Grandpa’s definition:  “Exaggerating something.”

15) “Bye Felicia”:

Urban Dictionary definition: “An expression used to dismiss someone. This person is usually irrelevant and annoying.”

Grandpa’s definition: “I don’t know who Felicia is. Carrie, that’s absurd.”